Blog

Every year Pathways School, Noida has a ’day of sharing’. ‘What is it’?’ you may ask. Having seen it in action, one can only say it’s a day when opportunities – for a moment to be in the limelight, to unleash talents kept otherwise in check – is given to the support staff of the school. Usually quiet, supportive but in the background, this is their day. Young stylish women unrecognizable in their finery, danced, men sang full-throated folk songs while others were egged on with gusto by the smallest, liveliest four-year olds as they launched into bhangra. Not to be outdone one showed us his impressive Michael Jackson breakdance moves.

The event was followed by a langar of alu/puri, chole, gulab jamun and much more. It was the senior students who had the job of serving – in humility and recognition of the support’s staff’s hard work – the ‘bhaiyas’ and ‘didis as they sat in the way they are most comfortable eating, on the floor. We followed suit, some more dexterous than others. Meticulously organized by the Administrative staff the entire event was great fun.

This one-day when privilege is momentarily turned on its head, when tentative, shy support staff are encouraged to come into their own, is a reminder that while the doors to advantage may not open equally for all, our ability to respect and encourage every day those that surround us is a choice we can make.